3/25/2008

Pu-re boru!

Rising Sun, Opening Day, Play Ball!

It's the strangest location for an Opening Day in MLB's history, and even with all the hype it's probably about to take a lot of people by surprise this morning... but the 2008 Baseball Season has officially begun!

Some thoughts on today's game as a micro-version of the season to come...

The scoreboard in the Tokyo Dome might not make much sense to much of America, but after a long cold winter, we'll take Opening Day any way we can get it.

You'll be forgiven if you consider next week, when the rest of baseball's teams begin play, to be the 'real' opening day... but these first two games, whatever they are, sure will be something to remember. As the World Champion Red Sox take the field to face the very-non-Champion Oakland Athletics, there are a few things of special interest to us here at the old Book.

For example, the absence of Josh Beckett (home nursing his wounds) could not have worked out better for the script writers, as Tokyo's own Daisuke Matsuzaka will take the ball to open 2008 for the Red Sox on a field that should feel even more like home to him than Fenway. Last year's #1 prospect here at Scouting Book, Matsuzaka has come a long way... and returned a long way... in order to be in the spotlight this morning. He'll either be right at home and in control, or he'll be reminded how much more pressure 50,000 fans can bring inside the Thunderdome.

Whether Matsuzaka flourishes or fizzles, Boston reliever Hideki Okajima is also likely to see action in the two Japan-hosted games. If he isn't used at all in this series... well, it sure would be fun to see Terry Francona pelted with raw carp.

In the field, today should mark the official beginning of the Jacoby Ellsbury era for the Sox, as the speedy Taco-man will start in center field for the first of what promises be thousands of games to come. (Note: no tacos are served at the Tokyo Dome. Repeat: no tacos today.)

Ellsbury will be joined by another young future star in the field: Brandon Moss is likely to play some or all of the game in right field in place of JD Drew, though it's possible that Drew might pop in sometime to launch a grand slam or two for the kids.

On the other side of the ball, the Athletics are bringing their 'veteran' lineup to Japan, though it's still one of the youngest in baseball. In addition to last year's darling Kurt Suzuki, who's already been immortalized in at least one plush doll version, the A's will start top prospect Daric Barton at first base. The Athletics are hoping Barton can develop a bit more pop this year to lock down the first base job long-term. If he stumbles, they have Chris Carter not far away. (The Red Sox have their own Chris Carter, too, of course, but he didn't make the trip to Japan.)

The A's are also starting youngsters Ryan Sweeney in center and Travis Buck in right, two more outfielders who have a ton of upside and might have the chance to shine with extended playing time this year.

After the two games in Tokyo the teams will return to USA to play a few more exhibition games, then resume their regular season (!) with a little deja vu, as the same teams and even the same pitchers are likely to face off on their "other" opening day, April 1 at Oakland.

Here's wishing everyone a great 2008. Kanpai!